LAOS, a territory of French Indo-China, covering about a third part of the Laotian country, bounded north by the Chinese province of Yunnan, west by the British Shan states and Siam, south by Cambodia and Annam, east by Annam and north-east by Tong-king. Northern Laos is traversed by the Mekong (q.v.) which from Chieng-Khan to a point below Stung-Treng forms the boundary between Laos (on the left bank) and Siam and Cambodia (on the right). French Laos constitutes a strip of terri tory with an approximate area of 82,604 sq.m. and a population of 837,364. The sandstone and limestone country of lower Laos changes to the north into a confused mountain knot of Palaeozoic rocks and granites. The culminating point exceeds 6,5oo ft. in height. The plateaux reach an altitude of 1,200 to 1,300 metres in some places as at Tran-Ninh. The valley of the Mekong tra versing this region of poor soil gives a belt of better land with pastures and also rubber-vines.
Laos is inhabited by a mixed population of Thais (including the Laotians; various aboriginal peoples who are classed as Khas; and the inhabitants of neighbouring countries, e.g., China, Annam, Cambodia, Siam, Burma, etc.
Laos has a rainy season lasting from June to October and corresponding to the south-west monsoon and a dry season coin ciding with the north-east monsoon and lasting from November to May. It is the least rainy part of Indo-China (90o mm. of at Savannaket). The climate is of the continental type and the monthly averages of temperature have a range of some Winter fogs are a cause of a forest fever which is often dangerous. The plateau of Tran-Ninh and, in the south, that of the Bolovens formed of volcanic rock are distinguished by the wholesomeness of their climate.
The forests contain bamboo and many valuable woods amongst which only the teak of north Laos and rattan are exploited to any extent. Rice, maize, cotton, indigo, tobacco, sugar-cane and cardamoms are among the cultivated plants. The forests are inhabited by tigers, panthers, bears, deer, etc. Hunting and fish
ing are leading occupations of the inhabitants. The reptiles include crocodiles, turtles, pythons and cobras.
Scarcity of labour and difficulty of communication hinder the working of the gold, tin, copper, argentiferous lead, precious stones and other minerals of the country and the industries in general are of a primitive kind and satisfy only local needs.
The buffalo, the ox, the horse and the elephant (numerous in this region) are domesticated, and these together with carda moms, rice, tobacco and the products of the forests form the bulk of the exports. Imports are inconsiderable, comprising chiefly cotton fabrics, garments and articles for domestic use. Trade is mainly with Siam and is in the hands of Chinese and of old established native carriers and hawkers. The Mekong is the chief artery of transit ; elsewhere communication is afforded by tracks sometimes passable only for pedestrians. Two roads have been made, one from Vinh to Thakhek and one from Quang-Tri to Savannaket. Luang-Prabang (q.v.) is the principal commercial town. Before the French occupation of Laos, it was split up into small principalities (muongs) of which the chief was that of Vien-Tiane. Vien-Tiane was destroyed in 1828 by the Siamese who annexed the territory. In 1893 they made it over to the French, who grouped the muongs into provinces. Of these there are twelve each administered by a French commissioner and, under his surveillance, by native officials elected by the people from amongst the members of an hereditary nobility. At the head of the administration there is a resident-superior stationed at Vien Tane. The modern economic development of Laos is less than that of other French possessions in Indo-China because of the difficulties of transport and of the less complete penetration of French influences.
See M. J. F. Garnier, Voyage d'exploration en Indo-Chine (1873) C. Gosselin, Le Laos et le protectorat Francais (Igoo) ; • L. de Reinach, 0 Le Laos (1902) and Notes sue le Laos 906) ; and under